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May 25, 2010

Some news about me--and Walnut Creek

You will soon be able to get even more news about Walnut Creek.

I have a new job, editing a new website, WalnutCreekPatch (WalnutCreek.Patch.com), devoted exclusively to news about this wonderful, intriguing, sometimes infuriating town that I, and many of you, call home.

For the past 20 months, I’ve been covering Walnut Creek on this blog, Crazy in Suburbia. As AKA Soccer Mom, I’ve been doing this on a pro bono, nights-and-weekend basis. I’ve had the time of my life doing this blog, more fun than I can possibly imagine.

I’ve also learned a hell of a lot—mostly from you readers. I started this blog for my own self-indulgence, but I quickly realized that I could, maybe, provide a service to people who live and work in Walnut Creek. I didn’t know where I was taking this blog. I can say that I came to appreciate how much I live in a community of smart, talented, diverse and engaged people who, like me, were eager for ways to find out what’s really going on here, and to connect with other people in town. And to grumble sometimes, debate, learn and celebrate.

Now, covering Walnut Creek will be my job. I’ll be able to devote myself full time to reporting on what’s going on here—the good, the controversial, the surprising, the extraordinary. I’ll also be working with reporters, photographers, videographers and people from the community to help this site tell stories--in words, pictures and video--,about Walnut Creek.

Who is forward-thinking enough—or Crazy enough—to allow me to do this?

Patch is an effort by the new and improved Aol (formerly AOL) to provide communities with local news. There are already Patch sites on the East Coast, in Southern California and right here in Danville, San Ramon, and Pleasanton.

I can’t tell you how excited I am. One reason is that Walnut Creek is my hometown.

This is a photo of me, a few days old in Kaiser hospital, right here in Walnut Creek. The date shows that I had been in the hospital for several days. Yes, I was born back in the Old Times—when babies and their mothers were not sent home after 24 hours. This was also back in the day when women like my mother were rendered unconscious to give birth, and then allowed to stay in the hospital for several days to recuperate from the meds.

Not to extend the birth metaphor too much, but I liken the process of launching this new website, WalnutCreekPatch, to giving birth to my son 12 years ago. By the way, he’s a student in Walnut Creek public schools.

There’s the long, lovely gestation of nurturing Crazy in Suburbia. Now, the contractions are starting, getting things ready for the launch of WalnutCreekPatch. I’m going without an epidural, and I'll hit the ground running on launch day.

When is launch day? Soon. If all goes well, by the end of this week. One more birth metaphor: We’re getting near the transition.

Ouch!

A couple more things you should know.

WalnutCreekPatch.com will ultimately be your site. One of the most rewarding things about Crazy in Suburbia has been stepping back from my own opinions and agenda and letting you suggest coverage, contribute, instruct, share, comment. As I said, I’ve learned a lot from all of you. I’m not perfect. I don’t know everything. I’m always learning. I always want to do better.

That’s a philosophy—which I picked up from one of my favorite yoga teachers—that I’ll be taking to WalnutCreekPatch.

At WalnutCreekPatch, you’ll be able to upload photos and videos of your own, about things that matter to you. You’ll be able to contribute restaurant reviews and comment on stories. And you’ll always be able to contact me with ideas and tips.

And Crazy in Suburbia? The blog will stay where it is for the time being. But, I’ll be posting Walnut Creek news items on Walnut CreekPatch, and I’ll be posting Walnut Creek-related Soccer Mom/Crazy in Suburbia comments on the new site.

Dear readers, I'm not abandoning Crazy in Suburbia. And, thanks to those who think this blog has value.

It has value to me, maybe not financially....

Maybe I am a sell-out. But 1) I have to take care of my family, and Aol is the one company that is paying journalists these days. I have thought of, you know, getting the much better corporate PR job, and still trying to do the blog on the side.

This way I get to do what I love, every day, and get paid for it.

2) Also, the company is giving me the resources to do a better job covering Walnut Creek.

Phew! Glad to hear that you will not be abandoning CIS. Even though we may not all agree on the issues you present for comments, I feel safe in saying that we do agree that you are providing a vital local service and forum for all of us.

Congratulations soccer, um, Martha! I think it's great and wish you all the best. I have really enjoyed CIS. Little bits of news every day that one does not get in the CCTimes.Thanks, and I will definitely tune in to the new site.

Excellent! Best of success in your new endeavors. Does that mean we'll find you out and about the town more often? Hope to see you someday at the Farmers' Market - or how about a few Lemon Trees in Walnut Creek, or even a few Walnut Trees for some real hometown flavor.

MarthaCongrats on the new job and look forward to more coverage of Walnut Creek. Glad Crazy in Suburbia will continue too. You have provided a great service and I know you will continue to do so. See ya aroundPete Johnson

AOL? Really? Those people who used to flood the market with disks for their service but now who have a low subscriber base and struggling for a living?

I wish you well, but beware that you run the risk of taking from your blog. In my opinion, as a publisher this attempt to garner an audience on the basis of the AOL name will not work,but will serve to dilute the efforts of the likes of you, me and Claycord. AOL is dead. I expect it will remain so regardless of their plans. As our favorite CCT has shown, the online news business is a tricky business. There are so many online news channels like My Town, another failed attempt. You see the real problem is not one of these visionaries actually understands the marketplace.

And for the record, MisterWriter will not go patch.

Sorry for the sour post - I am surprised that you would have considered this viable, certainly without asking the opinions of Claycord, or others in the know.

Martha, Martha, Martha (I guess close enough to Marcia, Marcia, Marcia) ...... going corporate. I'm looking forward to be reading you on the patch, but I sure hope you can keep your journalistic freedom once you have to be concerned about how many hits your site gets and what the advertisers want?

It is disappointing but not surprising that Mister Writer does not approve of your decision. I have checked out his blog and found him to be extremely judgmental, so it's not advisable to base your decisions upon his critique.

I don't blame you in any way for taking the opportunity to get a salary for your work. Most people are not independently wealthy. I have worked for "the man" for many years and still been able to express my individuality.

What does bother me is the set of individuals in Walnut Creek that have their own permanent incomes or inherited wealth but do not honor people's need to have a decent job. What is with them? Are they retired or on pensions and nobody elso counts? I look forward to their input.

For now, let me say congratulations on your new assignment and go "Break a Leg"

Thanks Huston. The word is realistic not judgmental, but thanks for your opinion on that one. Here's the thing - if I am wrong I will be the first on this blog to say so publicly. But you would expect no less of me if I disagree. This is nothing against SoccerMom - she knows that. There is an old saying that goes something like...if it slithers like a snake, and looks like a snake then likely it is one.

Maybe your way is indeed the best. I haver no objection tothe advertisements on blog sites!

I would like to see how Soccer Mom does with her approach.

Best wishes to both of you.

Huston

The founders of our republic beleived in bringing in many opinions to our discussion about development of government and democracy. Let's keep the process going. I hope most of us will be civil but that is not a requirement.

Mister Writer, Huston Meadows,You both raise very good points. Am I selling out? Am I going to lose my independence. Mister Writer, by the way, thanks for suggesting I could have sold ads on this site. Somehow, that is something I never really believed.

Yes, my decision is part economic. Personally, that is. Also, the whole media landscape is shifting.

I felt like I had to make a move. I'll see where it takes me. It seems like life now, and the world, including for journalists, is about risks.

I'm taking one.

I do have this, in some ways, very strange, maybe commendable, commitment and desire to write Walnut Creek. There are people like Huston Meadows out there whom I suppose care about their community, love it, have grievances... And there hasn't been a forum to do that?

I can do that here.

And, I can still do it here. I can do it on Walnut Creek Patch.

Well, I have to go. I have to get things ready to launch this damned site! For better or not.